Baker steps down as Offaly begin search for new hurling manager

 

By Kieran Galvin

Ollie Baker has stepped down as Offaly senior hurling manager.

An All-Ireland medal winner with Clare in 1995 and '97, Baker has been in charge of the Faithful County for the past two years.

The highlight of his time in charge was probably a long-awaited victory over Wexford in last year's Leinster championship.

Offaly put up a creditable showing in their defeat to Kilkenny in this year's Leinster campaign, scoring four goals against the then reigning All-Ireland champions. Waterford subsequently eliminated Offaly from the All-Ireland race with a qualifier victory in Tullamore.

Offaly were unable to achieve promotion from Division 1B during Baker's tenure but Coolderry and Kilcormac/Killoughey's success in the club championship meant he was unable to draw from a full deck of players.

In a statement confirming Baker's departure, Offaly GAA said it wished to 'sincerely thank' Baker for his work with the county's hurlers.

'He brought his renowned hurling passion to the job and his commitment to, and belief in, hurling in the county was unequivocal,' said the statement.  

Offaly GAA chairman Padraig Boland paid tribute to Baker, who is a Garda sergeant based in Tullamore.

'Ollie Baker is a man of the highest integrity and while an extremely formidable negotiator on behalf of his players, it was always in an environment of openness and honesty. He displayed tremendous respect for the needs of clubs and was a keen proponent of county players being available to their clubs throughout the year. He gave youth its chance with numerous championship and league debuts a feature of his tenure, while also offering others a second chance at an inter-county career,' said Boland.

'Under Ollie Baker this county has retained its position at the top end of Division 1B despite players from our county champions being unavailable - for very good reason - to him for both league campaigns he managed. While an overdue victory over Wexford was possibly the highlight of Offaly's two championship campaigns, the performances against both Kilkenny and Waterford in 2013 were viewed by many Faithful followers as 'missed opportunities' - an indication perhaps of the progress made by Ollie and his backroom team.'

'Both championship matches this year illustrated the pride that remains at the core of Offaly hurling, both on and off the field. Failure to close the deal, having done so well to create the opportunity, is possibly more about lack of individual inner belief than any lack of ability or capacity,' according to Boland. 

The chairman is keen to acknowledge the contribution of the outgoing management team and its players.

'At a time when many potential Offaly players were unavailable for selection and the engagement of personnel to support the efforts of players wasn't always easy, I sincerely thank all those who gave such commitment to Offaly over the past two years. The sacrifices required of our players and management are the same as for this year's All-Ireland finalists, both of whom we've pushed to their limits over the past two years. I sincerely thank each player and management team member for that sacrifice and their immense contribution to Offaly hurling. In particular I want to thank Ollie Baker and to wish him, Michelle and their young family all the very best for the future.'

Already, a number of names have been touted as potential successors. Among those linked with the post is Danny Owens, who led Kilcormac/Killoughey to Offaly and Leinster success in 2012 and to an All-Ireland final appearance earlier this year. Tipperary's Ken Hogan, who led Coolderry to similar success the previous year, could also come into the frame.

Former Birr and Offaly team-mates Johnny Pilkington and Daithi Regan went for the job two years ago and they might be interested again. Interestingly, Pilkington and Regan will be in opposition this weekend when Pilkington's Birr side face Regan's Shinrone charges in the Offaly SHC quarter-finals.

 

*Who would like to see appointed as the next Offaly hurling manager?  Give your view in the comments section below.